Jason Hammond

Sunday, January 28, 2007 11:20 PM

I am not a business man, and I could be way out in left field. But, perhaps making it a Paid Admission park would make better business sense. Obviously there would have to be infrastructure changes to make something like that work.

IIRC, it was a donation last year that allowed them to opperate. You obviously can't count on that year after year. And unless something that has happened recently I think that land is still for sale. With the economy the way it was I can understand why it didn't sell when they put it up. However the economy seems to have picked up over the last year or so.

Who knows if that will even be enough though. It has to be more than just enough to opperate, or they'll be in the same boat next year. They need to be able to pay down some of their debt. Does any one remember what the debt was? 2 million? And what were they asking for the land? *** Edited 1/29/2007 4:21:09 AM UTC by Jason Hammond***

Mamoosh

Ensign Smith

Monday, January 29, 2007 12:38 AM

This is truly disheartening news. I'd like to say it's unexpected as well, but I think we all know how this story is ultimately going to play out.

I'm just glad that the last couple years, I've actually gotten off my a** and gotten over there. Blue Streak is just the sweetest coaster. Rickety, paint peeling, no seat dividers or lap bars, just you and gravity. It's a cliche, but they truly don't make them that way anymore. We'll all be the poorer when this place is gone, whether we know it or not. :(

FLYINGSCOOTER

Monday, January 29, 2007 9:44 AM

This doesn't surpirse me at all.

When you have a restaurant in your park that loses approx 2,000 bucks a day and no one realizes it, you have problems. I remember reading a few years ago that the park purchased a new accounting program that would prevent this kind of error from occuring.

Walt S

Monday, January 29, 2007 9:49 AM

CLP did try a paid admission setup a few years ago. It didn't work then, as a lot of "regulars" were chased away and din't come there. I'm not entirely positive without looking in the book upstairs, but I believe this resulted in the first 2 year hiatus for the park.

FLYINGSCOOTER

Monday, January 29, 2007 9:57 AM

I remember the park charging admissions when they had the concerts on the lawn. We went when they had Loverboy and Reo Speedwagon, 25.00 admin. The place was mobbed! yeah, the locals might not have liked it, but they made money.

Rob Ascough

Monday, January 29, 2007 10:20 AM

I think Conneaut could be a viable business if more was added to the resort area. The park certainly has some internal problems but I think a lot has to do with a general lack of tourist traffic in the area. The place could be a really nice lake resort with some improvements elsewhere and that would definitely help the park in the long run.

I don't see this being the end for the park. There are people behind the place that are obviously supporting the park in unspeakable ways and since it seems to hang on every year, I see it opening for 2007. At least I hope...

rollergator

They need something to DRAW people to the park...do they have concerts?

No, I don't mean the karaoke booth, LOL.

I hate to admit it, but I'm kinda with Gonch on this - I doubt the park will last more than another year or two... :(

Can I put in now that Blue Streak, Devil's Den *and* Grandma should be relocated in case of park failure...along with the Bug. Have to wonder about the fate of the Erieview dark ride in case Conneaut DOES go under.

eightdotthree

Monday, January 29, 2007 12:47 PM

Gonch is right, the entire area as a resort destination is not there anymore. I used to go every year for my Erie GE's company picnic. Man, it was so much fun, and this was with us going to Cedar Point a lot as well. I credit the Blue Streak and Magnum for my coaster love. Every time I hear bad news about the park I feel bad, but it's falling apart and won't draw without it the area being a destination.

I don't know what they do as far as fireworks, festivals, or craft shows, but it seems like that is where they need to start. And follow up the shows with open rides, and stocked food and drink stands. They should allow pets as well. Be less restrictive and more fun.

Jeff

Monday, January 29, 2007 1:21 PM

PerrysburgGuy said:It is obviously not a viable business.

This is what I've been saying for years. All of the peace, love and good will won't change that. Location really is a significant portion of the issue, not to mention that people like to spend their disposable income in shiny new places. I don't have any real evidence to back that up, but even for an amusement park fan like me, I've yet to see anything compelling enough to get me there. If you can't get me there, how do you get the general public there?

Rob Ascough

Monday, January 29, 2007 1:37 PM

I maintain the park has the potential to be something but I doubt they have the money to make it happen, which would also require money for proper marketing. Cash is a big problem and the cash problem has to do with mistakes that were made in the past, not necessarily things that are being done wrong today. The park's past is the anchor that is sinking it to the bottom of the lake.

It's true that lakeside resorts are a disappearing part of the American landscape, although Conneaut Lake has something that most do not- an amusement park. If the amusement park were to evolve into something more than just an amusement park- perhaps a proper waterpark, venue for concerts (outdoor, indoor or both) and restaurants with entertainment, the future for the park would be brighter. But like I said, that takes money and then some more money to spread the word.